A new fad diet seems to pop up every day. Read more about the latest fad diets including the HCG diet. Is it safe? Is it effective? Is it proven? Don’t jump on the latest fad without learning about it first.
Today the FDA sent initial warning letters to 7 companies to stop selling HCG. HCG has been shown not to cause weight loss, and the accompanying 500 cal/d “Simeons” diet is thought by Bariatric Physicians to be inadequate to support lean body weight, leading to excess muscle loss vs. fat loss.
Click Here to link to press release on HCG removal from the market
If only it were this easy. The short answer to this question is “No.” A better answer can be found on the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) web site. I’ve included a link to this on the physician resources tab mentioned above. HCG is a hormone normally secreted by the placenta during pregnancy. In 1954, Dr. Simeons developed a 500 cal/day meal plan and administered it in conjunction with 125 units of HCG injected 6 days per week for 8 weeks. The protocol became popular in the 1970s. Several studies done later concluded with a meta-analysis finding insufficient evidence to support the claims that HCG is effective in altering fat-distribution, hunger reduction or in inducing a feeling of well-being. The authors concluded that “the use of HCG should be regarded as an inappropriate therapy for weight reduction.”
The current body of evidence suggests that this is not a helpful treatment alternative, and has unknown risks. Physicians employing the HCG or the diet recommended by Simeons may expose themselves to criticism from other physicians, from insurers, or from government bodies. It is my practice NOT to recommend HCG to our patients at CNC, or to manage patients currently on HCG.
Therefore, the American Society of Bariatric Physicians has adopted the following policy statements:
1. The Simeons method for weight loss is not recommended.
2. The Simeons diet is not recommended
3. The use of HCG for weight loss is not recommended.
